Lee Filter System

[Dave G]

Hi there,

First post so be gentle with me 😀 I intend to get an X Pan II soon... and I was thinking, can I use my Lee filter system with this camera. I know I will have to learn how to 'guess' the use of grads, but I'm not certain if the Lee system is compatible with the X Pan?

Any X Pan and Lee filter users out there offer me some advice?

Cheers,

Dave

 

[RichardK01]

ND Grad Filters

ND Grad Filters

If you have hard transition ND Grads, these could be a problem because getting the e.g., horizon exactly right is a matter of luck or trial and error.

Gradual transition ND Grads work better but are still tricky. You will have to look through the viewfinder to see where in the scene the grad should be and approximate that in the filter holder. You might need a half dozen (or more) exposures to get the right one.

I hope this helps.

 

[Peter L]

Why use any of these things when there is Photoshop?

 

[Dave G]

Peter,

A very good point - Photoshop is a whole new world for this photographer! But as I'm thinking of scanning lots of my negs and setting up a dry darkroom, perhaps I ought to start learning ASAP.

Cheers,

Dave

 

[dermo]

Peter I disagree.

Exposure must be done correctly at the earliest stage possible. Photoshop cannot save highlights that have been burnt out into non-existance, nor can detail be found where shadows are black. It can help, but getting it right in the first place is better!

 

[Roger Hicks]

A question in two halves:

With a non-reflex or non ground-glass camera, ND grads can be tricky, so Photoshop may be easier -- though I suspect that experience will soon enable you to guess with a high degree of accuracy.

With a reflex or ground-glass camera, the ND grad will ALWAYS be quicker and easier and deliver superior results. The last comment (superior results) applies to all cameras, of course, including the Xpan -- dermo is spot on with this one.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[Dave G]

Thanks for all the replies - I have just had two days with my new X-Pan II... and the first question I ask myself is why didn't I make the move earlier? This is one hell ov a camera!

I've just played around with grads and yes its all about guess work - but it's not too difficult - you sort of get a 'feel' for where the filters should be positioned. I'm glad I don't use hard grads!

However, what is difficult is using a polNow my problem is the polarizing filter... :bang:

I have just revived my love of photography!

Cheers,

Dave

 

[Stephan]

Peter I disagree.

Exposure must be done correctly at the earliest stage possible. Photoshop cannot save highlights that have been burnt out into non-existance, nor can detail be found where shadows are black. It can help, but getting it right in the first place is better!

I was just about to point that out too 🙂

If you scan a sky thats been burned into oblivion there's nothing left to photoshop 😛

 

[Dave G]

Hi,

I still need some advice on using a polarizing filter on my X-PanII. I cannot get to grips with the Lee filter system/holder - it takes too much out of the viewfinder. So what polarizer can I use with the X-Pan? What are other X-Pan users, using?

I can use ND grads by just judging where they need to be and holding them in front of the lens- this is okay whilst using a tripod, but no good if I want to hand hold! So come folks - what filter system are you using with your X-Pan.

Thanks,

DAvid

 

[aterlecki]

Hi,

I still need some advice on using a polarizing filter on my X-PanII. I cannot get to grips with the Lee filter system/holder - it takes too much out of the viewfinder. So what polarizer can I use with the X-Pan? What are other X-Pan users, using?

Have you looked at the Kenko rangefinder polarizer? Looks like a winner to me!

http://www.robertwhite.co.uk/accessories.htm#LabelKRP

 

[Dave G]

aterlecki,

The Kenko rangefinder polarizer looks ideal - I'll give the guys at Robert White a call and if I get one, I'll post my findings!

All the best,

David 😀

 

[anglophone1]

Find a polarizer that has numbers around the edge or just enough letters to know how it is aligned.
Look through it off camera to get the degree of polarization required, and check the numbers or letters that are pointing at the sun.
Put on camera and repeat setting...................voila.
Works on other RF cameras too!
On my 49mm Moose polarizer if I point Japan [wriiten on the mount] at the sun its fully polarised.............................
Of course you can use a LEE 105mm polarizer held in front of the camera without the filter mount an actually see the effect through the viewfinder too.....................................much more expensive though.
For quick and easy grad fix I also use a Hoya 49mm screwin grey grad, works fine as lon as you know where you've put the transition..................................
The lee grads also work fine if you judge the transition by looking through the filter pack rather than mounting it on the camera to judge, certainly with soft grads not stopped down works fine...........................
Saves a lot of effort in photoshop.................................. 🙄
Best
Clive

 

[Filmboy]

Another problem with using the Lee filter system on the Xpan, if it hasn't been mentioned before, is that the holder blocks part of the viewfinder, making it important that the image is properly composed before fitting the filter holder. Unfortunately, you also then need a sturdy, heavy tripod as otherwise it is difficult to fit the filter holder without slightly moving the camera position. Or you could mentally note the corners which will still be visible, mount the filter holder, and then check the position of your marks, but that's quite a lot of hassle...